Protective armor for pneumatic tires.



` R. C. PURVFS. PROTECTIVE ARMOR FOR PNEUMAUC TIRES. v APPucATloN man 1uNE21, 19:1. 1,299,225, l Patented Apr. L19l9.

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PROTECTIVE ARMOR FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES. APPLICATION Hummm-:21. 1917.

1,299,225. Patent-ed Apr. 1,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

SIMM/i a Wr UNITED sTATEs `PATENT onnicn.,

ROBERT c. PUnvIs, or' snnronn, DELAWARE.

PROTECTIVE ARMOR FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Continuation of application Serial No. 850,476, filed July 11, 1914. This application filed .Tune 27, 1917.

. Serial No. 177,200.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. PURvIs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Seaford, in the county of Sussex and State of Delaware, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Protective Armors for Pneumatic Tires, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to armor for resilient tires, such as automobile tires, and more particularly to armor formed by a plurality of closely abutting hexagonaldisks, the general construction resembling, in some respects, that described and claimed in 'my Patent No. 1,112,030 for armors for pneu'- matic tires. While the present improvements are more particularly adapted for embodiment in armor of this general character, nevertheless they are in themselves novel and their use is not necessarily limited in all cases to the particular type of armor above referred to. i

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved and novel tire armor construction of such character that the armor can be readilyaltered in size, if necessary, to insure its hugging the tire closely, this latter being absolutely essential lfor the proper working of devices of this class. Said armor is so constructed furthermore that the tractive effect secured by its use is considerably increased over that attainable with other types of armor heretofore proposed; while at the same time injury to the road is avoided.

Another object of this invention is to provide a special construction of armor elements or disks, and also a novel method of connecting or linking the disks together to form a complete armor in such manner as to protect the connecting links from contact with the road. The armor is thus rendered practically indestructible because no substantial wear will take effect on the connecting links. The disks may be connected in this manner over the whole armor, or over any suitable portion thereof.

With these and other objects in view, such as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, this invention comprises certain novel constructions and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter described and claimed in the appended claims.

A desirable practical construction embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:`

Figure 1 shows a piece of armoring fabric constructed in accordance with theinvention, together with means for securing the same 1n place on a wheel rim and tire, the

Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, an edge' view and a section showing how the oblique rows of disks may be linked together circumferentially over the side portions of the armor;

Fig. 9 is a detail plan of one of the side disks; and

Fig. 10 is a detail, partly in section, illustrating one form of marginal fastening means which may be employed.

In the present example, the armor fabric is composed of a plurality of hexagonal `disks of a structure to be more fully hereinafter described. These disks are in close arrangement withtheir edges almost or substantially abutting and are connected together in such manner as to give the resultant assemblage enough iiexibility to enable it to conform readily to the tire and to hug the same closely. For the sake of clearness in explanation, it is pointed out that the armor here illustrated may be considered to be made up of a plurality of oblique rows of connected disks extending from the opposite lateral edges of the armor and converging in pairs at the center line X-X of the armor, each pair of convergent oblique rows thus constituting a more or less attened V, all the Vs, suchas A X A, B X B, etc., (indicated in dotted lines) being substantially parallel and arranged herring-bone fashion around the full circumferential extent of the armor. It is to be understood that this parallelism is only approximate and that said oblique rows converge slightly from the center-line X`X toward both margins of the armor. The armor may also be consid- 'ered to be composed of substantially parallel or concentric rows of disks connected end to end and extending circumferentially or peripherally (horizontally in Fig. l) around the tire.

As will appear later, the connection of the armor disks to each other in such manner as to facilitate ready bodily removal of any one or more of the V units A X A, etc., when it is necessary to shorten up the tire armor, forms an important part of my invention.

' In Fig. 1 disks 20 are connected together in approximate end-to-end abutment to form a row extending lengthwise of the armor and substantially along the center line of its tread. Each disk in this central row has its two opposite pairs of lateral edges linked to the adjacent edges of disks Q0 which are also connectedend to end in two `rows eX- tending lengthwise, one on each side of the central row and parallel thereto. Gutside of each row of disks 20, disks 201 are connected end to end into similar longitudinal rows; but, it is to be noted that only alternate edges adjacent the disks Q0*L are connected to said disks, the remaining edges b adj acent disks 2Oa being left free as shown; This method of alternate linkage may also be employed in. connecting the rows of disks 2Oa to the central row of disks 20; but, in practice, it is preferred to follow the method of linkage above described.

In the present example, the five rowsV of disks 20, 20a and 20h, constitute the tread portion proper of the tire armor; and it is particularly advantageous to employ a special type of construction for the disks used in this portion of the armor as will appear later.

The lateral portions of the tire armor, that is, the portions lying on opposite sides of the tread, may be composed of longitudinal. series of rows of disl s 20 extending parallel to the circumferential rows of the tread portion. These disks may advantageously be of simpler construction than the tread disks. There may be as many of these late 1al rows as is necessary to give the proper width to the armor; and the disks of each row are connected end to end as before. Similarly, alternate edges c of the disks in cach of these rows aie connected to the mating edges of the disks in the row lying next in order toward the tread; the other alternate edges c being left free. As fully set forth in my prior patent aforesaid, this method of alter nate linkage gives to the armor fabric as a whole a high degree of flexibility, while at the same time, assuming the drag or traction on the armor tread to be toward the left, as it will be when the wheel turns in the direction of the arrow, the parallel oblique rows of disks extending from the center of the tread toward yboth margins thereof, are

crowded together to bring the disks into close abutment and to present an impenetrable armor surface for the protection of the tire.

Tt is to be noted that the disks composing the tir@ armor are not of uniform size, but thatV they decrease gradually .in diameter from the tread outwardly toward both margins. Furthermore, the disks instead of being perfectly regular hexagons may adventageously, although not necessarily, have an opposite pair of sides converging slightly from the tread toward the margin of the armor, described in my prior patent abovesaid. This graduation of size in the disks, and the described slight irregularity in the outline thereof, enables the disks to close up together more perfectly when the armor is on the tire and thus to enhance the impenetrability of the armor as a whole.

Broadly speaking, the general arrangementfof parts thus far described resemblesy in many respects that of my prior patent. The particular features characterising the present invention will now be described in detail.

In the armor shown in Fig. l, the disks in the rows 20, 20a and 20", constituting the tread proper, are of special construction designed to prevent contact of'thelinking elements with the roadway when the armor is in use, and thus to prolong greatly the life of the armor. A suitable construction of disks 2O for this purpose is shown in Figs. 3 and t; and the disks 2OEFL and 20h may be similarly formed. In this construction each disk is composed of a. lower plate 2l., and an upper plate 22 lof equal size, connected and retained in their proper relationship by a central master rivet 23 having a large head 2li projecting above plate A spacing washer 25 inserted on the rivet keeps the plates S21-and 22 at the proper distance apart to permit the free movement of links 26 which connect adjoining disks, as seen in Fig. l. The shank cf the master rivet extends through both plates and is headed over on the under side to permanently secure said plates together. Said links '226 are retained by rivets 27 each having a large head 28 also projecting above the surface of plate 2L. These rivets differ from the master rivets Q3, however, in that they are so designed, for purposes to be explained later, that they can be rather easily driven out from the under side of the disk element by n'ieans of a suitable tool. To this end, the shank of each rivet 27 is shouldered as at Q9 for abutment with the upper side of the under plate 2l, while only a reduced portion 30 of said shank extends through plate 21, its lower end being` upset on the under side enough to hold thevrivet in place, but not enough to seriously resist removal of the rivet by means of a punch, for example. Tn other words, the master rivet 23 is relied upon principally to secure the disk plates together, while the rivets 27 provide pivotal anchorage for the connecting links 26. `All the.

rivet heads are best of relatively large size so that they almost entirely cover the disk plates or a large part thereof and therefore take up most or all the contact with the road, leaving only sufiicient space to prevent suction on the road, and at the same time Ventilating the fabric and keeping it cool. As here shown, the outer rivet heads are substantially tangent to the central rivet head, which is the construction preferred.

0n account of this construction the armor is almost indestructible and the friction or traction secured is greatly increased without injury to the road. Injury to the road is, in fact, substantially eliminated as the action on the road is similar to that of a horses foot; but it is better on account of the great number of points in constant contact with the road. Suction on the surface of the road by the rubber tire is avoided by means of this armor. of the large outer rivet heads is to prevent stones or other objects coming in contact with the outer disk plates and bending them in toward the inner plates in such manner as to pinch the links 26 and thus impair the iexibility of the fabric. In the present construction the large rivet heads take up stresses of this kind and, by virtue of the shoulders 29, transmit them to the under plates.

The life of the armor is, of course, greatly increased by the fact that the links connect ing the tread elements are protected from `contact with the road by the outer plates of 'the disks.

In case of wear or breakage of one of the links the rivets 27 retaining the same can be driven out with a punch and a new link and rivets substituted by any handy person. Repairs are thereby much facilitated, since any part or number of parts can be thus treated.

In the present example, the links 26 are shown as flat and as lying each in a plane approximately parallel to one or the other of the disks connected thereby.

In order to assemble the tread portion of the fabric, each hexagonal upper plate is first connected to its corresponding lower plate by means of the central master rivet, the links 26 are then inserted between the respective pairs of plates, the rivets 27 are then passed through the upper plate and the respective links, with the reduced rivet shanks extending through the lower plates, and the lower ends are riveted over enough to hold the rivets in position.

rIhe disks composing the tread portion of the armor are best fitted with the large headed rivets, both at points where a link vconnection exists and at those points such as Another important function 2l, where no connection is made. At these latter points, however, it is not necessary that the rivet be a stud rivet, but it is suificient that the rivet be inserted through the outer plate 22 only.

Since the lateral portions of the armor covering the sides of the tire are not subjected to such severe wear as is the tread portion, it is not so important to protect the connecting links in the lateral portions against abrasion. Consequently disks of simpler structures may be, and as a rule most advantageously are, employed. For use on armored cars in military service, double disk elements like those above described for the tread may be used for the entire tire armor. But in the present example the elements 20C are simply flat hexag onal disks. Each disk may be provided with a central perforated boss 30a to facilitate assembling the side disks by means of a suitable tool. The linkage of these disks may take various forms. As here shown, the oblique or diagonal linkage is accomplished by means of eye links 32 fitting loosely in holes provided in the disks. This diagonal or oblique linkage is intended to be relatively permanent in character. That is, it need n"ot be 'designed to facilitate separation of the disks in an oblique row from each other. The lengthwise or circumferential linkage, however, should be of such character as to make it possible to readily disconnect the oblique rows one from another. lth this end in view, I use for the lengthwise or circumferential linkage of the lateral armor portions a readily removable coupling device such, for example, as that clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, for connecting adjoining elements of adjoining oblique rows. As shown, this open link or coupling comprises a flat piece 34, adapted to underlie a pair of adjacent disks or plates 20c. At one end the piece 34 is pivotally but permanently securedv to disk vor plate 20e by means of the stud 35 which extends loosely through a hole in the plate and is headed over on the upper side thereof as at 36. The

4other end of the piece 341 carries the stud 37 which is adapted to enter hole 37a in the next adjacent disk 20c of the same circumferential series. When the armor is in place on the iniiated tire, the pressure of the tire against the fiat piece 34C holds the stud 37 in position and prevents its becoming unhooked, but disconnection can readily be effected when the tire is deflated.

It is to be understood, therefore, that the described circumferential or longitudinal linkage of the disk elements is designed and adapted to facilitate bodily removal of one or more of the V units before referred to. It is to be noted, however, that in the example given this linkage for the tread porthat each disk has a centrally disposed rivet head to which the other rivet heads on that disk are substantially tangent.

5. rlf'ire armor comprising the combination, with a plurality of pairs of rows of flexibly connected disks converging obliquely from the armor margins to form substantially ll-shaped units in parallel arrangement, of separable fastening means flexibly linking said V-shaped units together circumi'erentially, such linking means being adapted and arranged to permit ready disconnection of any of said units from adjoining units.

6. Tire armor .comprising the combination, with a plurality of pairs of flexibly connected disks converging obliquely from the armor margins to form substantially V- shaped units in parallel arrangement, of means including easily removable rivet members iiexibly linking said V-shaped units together circumierentially at the tread portion ofthe armor, and removable open links flexibly connectingsaid units together circumterentially at the lateral portions of the armor.

7 Tire armor comprising in combination, compound disk tread elements each consisting of a pair of plates of the same size and shape secured together in spaced relation, connecting eye links entering between the plates of adjoining tread elements, rivets each extending through both plates of said elements and through the eye links, each of said rivets having one of its ends only slightly upset to :facilitate ready removal, additional disk elements tor the side portions of the armor, means linking the side disk elements to the tread disk elements, and removable hook links circumterentially connecting said side disk elements to each other.

S. In tire armor of the character described, an armor element comprising, in combination, inner and outer disks, secured together by a central rivet and spaced apart by a washer through which said central rivet extends, and additional rivets extending through both plates and shouldered for pressure-transmitting engagement with said inner disk.

9. In a tire armor of the character described, an armor element comprising, in combination, inner and outer disks secured together by a central rivet and spaced apart by a washer through which said central rivet extends, and additional rivets extending through both plates and shouldered for pressure-transmitting engagementwith said inner disks, all the said rivets being provided with relatively large heads arranged to cover most of the outer face of the outer disk.

10. In tire armor of the character described, an armor element comprising, in combination, inner and outer disks secured together by a central rivet and spaced apart by a washer through which said central rivet extends, additional rivets extending through both plates and shouldered for pressuretransmitting engagement with said inner disk, and connecting links loosely held by said shouldered rivets.

1l. In tire armor of the character described, the combination, with a disk, of a coupling device having a permanent pivotal connection thereto and having a :tree end adapted to hook into an adjacent disk.

l2. In tire armor of the character described, the combination, with a disk, of a coupling device having a permanent pivotal connection thereto and having a free end adapted to hook into an adjacent disk, said coupling device having a liattened intermediate portion adapted to underlie both disks.

In witness whereof I hereinto aliix my signature.

ROBERT C. PURVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G." 

